05-18 3527 Lincoln Way West Zone Map Amendment

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Dr.Gordon C. Cook,a South Bend obstetrician and gynecologist,served as the clinic's first medical director.lust weeks after the clinic opened,a poll conducted by Indiana University South Bend showed that 38 percent of South Bend residents opposed establishing a clinic within city limits.The survey also showed that,overall,58 percent of respondents said they supported a woman's access to abortion if she wants one,with higher percentages of approval for younger respondents(69 percent)and male respondents(64 percent).Twelve percent of respondents said they supported abortion access conditionally,for reasons such as if the mother's life is in danger,or if the pregnancy'is a product of rape. Though no recent state-specific polls could be found,a nationwide Gallup poll conducted in 2015 showed that 50 percent of U.S. adults called themselves"pro-choice,"with 44 percent identifying as"pro-life."Seventy-eight percent of the survey's respondents said they support legalized abortions in at least a few circumstances,with 19 percent of respondents saying that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances,and 2 percent stating they had no opinion. Protests and arrests Throughout its existence,the South Bend clinic was the site of abortion protesters,some of whom were arrested, mostly for trespassing or violating a restraining order. The clinic relocated to its current location at 2010 ironwood Circle in February 1988. In a Tribune article, then-clinic director Marne Greening said the change of address would make protesting more difficult,as"it's all private property there." Protests continued, though. In December 1990,32 men and women from the anti-abortion group Lambs of Christ were arrested after locking themselves together in the clinic. in April 1991,about 120 anti-abortion demonstrators were arrested after they blocked access to the clinic. So many people were arrested that Transpo provided a bus to take them away to the Army Reserve Center on Kemble Street,where the police held the large group. In recent years,St.Joseph County Right to Life and The Life Center,another anti-abortion group,have moved or established offices on either side of the clinic at Ironwood Circle.Abortion protesters stand on property of either group to protest the clinic. Opposition went beyond just protests:On May 10, 1993,someone poured butyric acid into the clinic through a mail slot and spread with a garden hose.The chemical,which reacts to water and has been commonly used in targeted attacks on abortion clinics,is rancid smelling and closed the clinic for several days. St.Joseph County Right to Life leaders at the time said they didn't condone violence against the clinic,and said they didn't support violence conducted by anti-abortion splinter groups. Klopfer began providing abortions in South Bend in 1978.Clinic opponents point to less-than-desirable inspection reports,as well as a host of complaints that have been filed against Klopfer,as evidence for closing the clinic.Klopfer has defended his practice to the media,telling The Tribune in 2013 and 2015 that attempts to close his office were due to an anti-abortion agenda. "if I had an agenda," Klopfer said,"and I went to inspect a hospital and spent two or three days there,do you think I couldn't find errors or mistakes?" Klopfer was found in violation of governing codes and laws in regard to abortion reporting,record maintenance,other documentation and personnel records,according to state abortion clinic inspection reports for several years in a row,the most recent in 2015_ He is currently scheduled to go in front of the Indiana Medical Licensing Board this month after an Indiana attorney general's investigation stemming from more than 2,000 complaints filed by local and regional anti-abortion activists regarding Klopfer's recordkeeping,among other issues. Dozens of supporters of both Klopfer and his clinic came out to the St.Joseph County Council in late 2014 and early 2015,when the council considered proposals to place further requirements on doctors providing abortions in St.Joseph County.That meeting was also filled with dozens of clinic opponents,who called on the council members to support the further requirements.The council defeated the measure,6-3. R E C E I V l FEB 20 AREA PLAN COMMISSION